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Published on February 14, 2008

Yesterday morning the group went to Wat Sitthi Samakkhi to hear Aisco Resources officials explain plans to build the iron smelting plant on a 3,367-rai plot of land.

Khomkrit Yimcharoen, the project's environmental adviser, told the protesters the plant would produce 750,000 tonnes of iron bars per year, 68,600 tonnes of iron ore, while some 365,700 tonnes of iron slag could be used as raw material to produce cement.

He affirmed the company had not made any decision about construction yet, and was willing to listen to the opinions and concerns of the local community and inform them about the preventive measures against any environmental impact.

Pluak Daeng Environmen-tal Group president Surasith Chaiyalarp urged the Singapore-based company to thoroughly study the environmental impact of the project.

He said that 20 years ago, the people of Rayong wanted heavy industry, but with 300 industrial plants some serious problems had started to emerge. He cited the impact on agricultural produce; the country's highest number of lung cancer patients in the district's Tambon Ta Sit; and the ratio of people around Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate who had leukaemia compared to other areas, which he put at 30:100.

Tambon Mae Nam Khu kamnan Somkid Chaipreuk said all residents and those living nearby felt they did not want the iron-melting plant and would vigorously protest against it. They wanted the plant to be built at Map Ta Phut.

Sutthi Atchasai, co-ordinator of Eastern People Network, said Tambon Mae Nam Khu was not suitable for an iron-smelting plant due to the plant's use of heavy metals and the location's proximity to the Nong Pla Lai reservoir.

The Nation

RAYONG